Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-03
AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT.

The proposed amendment to the con-
stitution increasing the duration of the
sessions of the Legislature from sixty to
ninety days, should receive the unani-
nous support of the people Of Texas
The provision originated in the House,
and this body was distinCtively and espe-
cially Legislature of farmers, who, as 8
usual thing, have time to reflect and com
prehension to Judge fairly all measures
proposed for the public good. The cities
should Join the country in the passage OF
this measure. Under the present ar-
rangement, Legislators receive So day
for sixty days, and 81 q day for thirty
days. The object in reducing the
per diem during the last thirty
days was to hasten the work Of our
Lawmakers and induce them to reach an
adjournment ct as early date as posi-
Bile. This provision is unnecessary and
manitestly unwise. The experience OF
all conversant with the history of legisla-
zion or legislatures, is that the last days
nay, the last hours OF a session,er tempes-
tuous with rush of business. It's dur
| ing the closing days that the fate of all
measures offered and deliberatcd upon
during the entire session must be deter
mined. It is during this closing period
when the very best talent, the wisest
counsel and the greatest craftsmanship
should be in the van to battle with the
perpIexities which may arise, and to
smooth out the wrinkles Of conflicting in
terests. Gentlemen who are capable of
directing important matters and guiding
the ship of state to safe harbor are
not such as find if remuneTatiye to
work for 50 per day. There are g very
few who can afford TO remain in Austin
at 50 per day, but they are usually that
character of men whose limited abilities
would be dear Of any price. tits doubtful
if there is a member of the Legislature
whose actual expenses will not average
50 for every day spent at the state capital,
and it is not improbable that the average
expenses of legislator will 90 higher
than this. 1t is unjust and unreasonable
to expect citizens to make such sacrifices.
Demagogues msy pointto the Gotten field
or the factory to show where men every
whit as able are working for less money,
but it should be remembered that the
character Of the duties and the circum-
stances ere totally dissimiIsr, and that the
mechanic or IRborer who can follow his
usual occupation for 81 per day could not
attend sitting of the Legislature in aus
tin for the same money, and do justice to
himself. The rapidly increasing interests
of the state require that more time and
thought should be devoted to public BUS
mess. The increased expense will
amount simply to IS day for thirty
days, for each member, and this sum
dwindles into insignitcance when CON-
pared to the vest amount of good to be
accomplished. Every year fresh members
are taken from the body of the people,
and these new recruits are entirely unaC-
quainted with the conventional modes and
parliamentary usages so necessary to the
prompt dispatch of business. They re-
quire time to familiar:zs themselves with |
forms and proceedings, and it seems ab-
surd to cut legislator down to 50 per
day as soon as he becomes pro-
hcient in the science OF lsw-msking, while
paying him more than double that sum
during the period of his novitiate. The
increased expense is a mere bagatelle
and unworthy consideration when com
pared to the vast benefits which are sure
to accrue.